Judges at the Oregon UAS Accelerator have selected Ziz Defense Company as the overall winner of the 2025 innovators’ showcase award. Ziz Defense has developed portable AI-counter-drone systems. The judges noted that the company is “empowering defence organisations to protect against evolving drone threats with validated, field-proven technology and strategic partnerships across the US Department of Defense and NATO allies”.
The award was given at the Accelerator’s showcase event that brought together leading investors, strategic partners and five UAS startups for an afternoon of live pitches, networking, and thought leadership.
At the event, the people’s choice award went to DroneSpotter. Selected by audience vote, DroneSpotter is working to ensure airspace safety with scalable, real-time drone detection and tracking. The company has already generated more than USD 100,000 in annual recurring revenue and achieved an 86 percent pilot programme conversion rate.
Three other companies from the Accelerator’s Spring Cohort were selected to present at the event. 3Autonomy LLC is reshoring US drone supply chains with NDAA-compliant quadrotors and modular open systems. Accipiter Aeroworks is using solar-powered VTOL aircraft for continuous, long-duration missions. And Morgan Geospatial is developing UAS airframes and geospatial services for commercial and government markets.
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Image: Mike Munizzi and Eric Maglio of DroneSpotter receive the people’s choice award. (Oregon UAS Accelerator)
